Refresh your home design for hosting
Summer is the ideal time to host events at home with family and friends. Is your home ready?
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it’s important that it showcases your signature style. Nate Berkus, designer and artistic advisor for LG Studio, LG’s premium line of kitchen appliances, shares kitchen design and entertaining tips to create inspired spaces.
Summer in the kitchen
Summertime is a great season to host, but you don’t need to completely redeco-rate your home every time you have company. It’s good to have several ideas on hand for your home that convey the upcoming season, noted Berkus. “Simple party themes, like hosting a burger bar outdoors for guests, or inviting everyone to bring in their favorite burger recipe, can be a great way to spice up your party and align it with the laid back feeling of summer.”
Entertaining
The stresses that come with entertaining can be daunting at times. Prepping early, especially in the kitchen, can cut the pressure and allow you to have some fun while hosting a party this summer.
“It’s not enough for your guests to show up and have fun — you have to, too!” said Berkus. “Have all items for your meal prepped in advance, so that you can take time to sit, let the meal linger and the conversation flow. Tomorrow you can sleep in.”
Berkus recommends stocking up on essentials in neutral colors, so they are appropriate for any occasion. Linen placemats can work for any party; just add brighter solid napkins and you’re ready for that summer barbecue.
The well-appointed kitchen
“More than any other room in the house, the kitchen works best when it’s in order,” noted Berkus. “It should be intuitive. Having a large-capacity refrigerator with easily-adjustable shelving, like those offered in the LG Studio line, is a great way to keep track of everything you’ve got in there.”
Take an afternoon to sort through your kitchen necessities, while keeping flow in mind. Pots should be closest to the stove, cutting boards and knives in close vicinity to the sink, and baking ingredients all grouped in one pantry area. If you have counter space, use a tray or large board to keep the utensils you use every day at arms’ reach from the stove for easy access.
To increase functionality and reduce clutter, so your home is always party-ready, consider creating a kitchen work station. Berkus suggests taking advantage of a roll of butcher paper hung on the wall that can function as a place to write reminders, while still looking elegant.
“The kitchen often becomes the crossroads of the home, a space you pass through a hundred times,” said Berkus. “To keep the piles and stacking to a minimum, I like incorporating trays or baskets on top of a rolling cart, which functions as the command center of the kitchen. It becomes the perfect place for my keys and sunglasses to land at the end of the day, as well as a place to organize mail and accessories.”
Technology
The kitchen of today not only needs to be seam-lessly designed, but also needs to be wired to meet all your technology demands. Berkus recommends incorporating several places to plug in within your kitchen. “If you’ve got a family, then it can escalate to a full on war when there’s limited plugs or USB ports in the wall. Consider a plug that allows for more than one device, or a charge pad that you can toss your device on and it does the rest.”
If appliances are outdated and lack the functions you need, an upgrade can help make everyday tasks easier. The LG Studio line adds a high-end aesthetic to any kitchen, with a timeless design and technological innovations that become the centerpiece in creating your signature kitchen.
Be sure to visit LGStudioKitchen.com for other tips from Berkus and, through July 31, the chance to win a complete kitchen renovation.
Fancy fixins’
Decanting your condiments into glass jars with fun labels is a simple task that can make it easier to serve from, especially at outdoor parties or when hosting large groups. When you’re done, just snap the lid back on for a quick and effortless cleanup.
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.